Happy Birthday T&T!!

Carib, national beer of Trinidad and Tobago

Happy Independence to my beautiful country Trinidad and Tobago! 47 years of independence on the way to the big 50...I could make a comment about ALL of the challenges the society faces but I won't... We have opposition politicians and self important radio show hosts to do that..

Today I'm going to celebrate a momentous occasion in our history and I invite you to do the same. Even if you're not a Trini.

The Art: Toyin Odutola

(Artwork Borrowed with thanks from Toyin Odutola's website)

(Today I'm continuing the series on women in visual/graphic art with Toyin Odutola)

"I am that strange, dark girl in the back of a densely-aired, dimly-lit bar: talking loudly, smoking copious amounts of cigarettes, and drinking loads of chardonnay. You think I may have a compromising sexuality due to my ambiguous attire and androgynous appearance. Furthermore, there is a puzzling mixture in my unnecessarily aggressive, unwaveringly independent, and fiercely passionate disposition while muddled with abrupt bouts into quite contemplation, all during "intellectual" conversation." - Toyin Odutola, from her blog

Toyin Odutola is a Nigerian born artist and illustrator living in the United States. You can find more of her work on her Chictopia page here, her Deviant Art page here and her Tumblr (although I noticed she doesn't post alot of her work there) She hand illustrates her one of a kind designs on tee shirts .

I have to say I love her originality and attention to detail. What do you think of her work?

The Music: No Strings by Mishal Moore

Hi lovelies,

This is one of my favourites from singer and youtube vlogging superstar Mishal Moore. I love the lyrics. Hope you enjoy.

Want more Mishal? Follower her on twitter here or check out her single "Oh Lord" on Itunes

Remembering Aaliyah

Eight years ago today, the music world lost one of it's fastest rising stars: Aaliyah Haughton or Aaliyah to her fans. Aaliyah was one of my favourites in high school. I swear I had her jam, "Are you that Somebody" on repeat for weeks.I also remember everybody (and I mean everybody) trying to copy the sick choreography from the video. There are even artistes today who've dabbled in copying her style. (I see you Ciara!)

Anyway, I think Aaliyah could have made so much more great music but sadly all we have now are the memories.

Trailerwatch: LeToya Luckett in The Preacher's Kid

I'm a little late on this one but singer, Letoya Luckett (an original child of destiny, like Kelly and Beyonce and that other one who I never remember) is in a new movie. Check out the trailer! It looks entertaining to me but then trailers are supposed to make you feel that way..lol

Hairspiration: Gettin' Loc'd up

As you may remember, I've decided to grow my hair. Right now it's a eensy weensy TWA (teeny weeny Afro)but I would love to rock the loc'd look like these women so effortlessly do.

Any loc'd ladies reading this? What made you decide to start your locs?

Happy Monday: I'm back + Music from The Noisettes

Hi Lovelies!

I'm back from my self imposed blog break. (And how do I celebrate? By posting a premature message to my blog subscribers- too trigger happy with the publish button again..lol)

Anyway, I'm back to share all the fashion, culture, and woman of colour fab-ness(yes, that's a made up word. It's my blog and I'll do what I want to!)

Speaking of fabness, check out this live recording/performance of the Noisettes for Sirius radio. I've said before on this blog before that I have an undying fan girl love for the Noisette's front woman, Shinghai Shoniwa (also known as Shingy) She literally rocks her natural tresses, has killer style and her cheekbones could cut glass..

But enough talking, let's take in the performance..



Whenever I listen to their music, I'm always reminded of the importance of being unique and not trying to sound to look or sound like anyone else. It's really moving to me. Thoughts?

Bloggidy Break

Hi lovelies,

Just wanted to let you know that I'm taking a blog break from today until next Monday (Aug 24) I have to make some important real-life upgrades and I need some time off..
Thanks for understanding :-)

Patty

How to Make Natural Hair Moisturizer

Hi Lovelies,

Happy Friday! I'm still experimenting with natural hair and beauty products. This time I made an all natural hair moisturizer with olive oil, shea butter and aloe vera. I extracted the aloe vera myself from an aloe leaf. Hope you enjoy!If you try it, let me know if it works for you.



This brings me to the end of my five..err four day vlog challenge. I was too busy Wednesday to make one for yesterday. Forgive me

The Girl Who Paints Girls Part 2...

Joy by Brianna Mccarthy

Intro: Last week I interviewed Brianna Mccarthy about her lovely illustrations. Read to find out even more about her..

Do you seek to convey a particular message with each piece? Is that a part of your creative process?

It’s about emotion, a feeling, a mood - all in an effort to know and understand who I am and to understand the sum of my experiences and how they have refined what I am. I think all of my work comes out of whatever I may have been feeling at the time; I tend to be a sensitive person; I notice subtle things. Which I think is the case for most people who make things.



Anger, disappointment, fear, happiness, a sense of peace or even of fullness - those stimulate me and make the work. The sentiments are not usually obvious, which may or may not be a good thing. I don’t know if I want to blow the whole thing open and spell out what I’m experiencing.

It’s not so important that people see smudged mascara or tears; for me it’s finding a balance between creating a thing I think is beautiful and not attempting to box in what I feel. Earlier in life, as if there could be an early period for my work since I just started the madness, the predominant question I was asked was “why are they all so sad”.



I used to say “they’re not sad, they’re just not smiling.” I think perhaps, I prefer to be reserved so much that I have learnt to put the feeling on paper but not spell it out. I want people to see whatever they project onto the girl. It isn’t about me after it’s done. I’ve vented and what is taken from the product is totally at the whim of the viewer.

I read that you recently participated in Erotic Art Week(T&T) What piece(s) did you submit? What did you think of the event? How did you think your work was received?

My installation was called 12 Girls. It was essentially a series of 12 postcard sized pieces of girls with their eyes closed and their mouths open. I leave the “what they doing?” part up to the observer. I started the process of participating late and I must say thank you to both Dave Williams for his patience and to Rodell Warner for the encouragement.





I was in Tobago on business and actually completed the bulk of the pieces at night or whenever I wasn’t working. I thought that the Erotic Art Week events were fantastic. I thought that for the first of its kind, it did extremely well and provided opportunity for discourse. I was thrilled with the response that the User Operated Photo Booth by Rodell Warner received.

It was exhibitionism at its best. With regards to my work, I was really surprised at how well it was received and by the feedback I got. I don’t do the social butterfly thing very well so it was a bit overwhelming at a point; very much appreciated but overwhelming.

Where can we see more of your artwork?

At the moment I have my blog and an online portfolio at http://briannamccarthy.carbonmade.com. That’s as far as I’ve gotten at this point!


Parting words/Thoughts?

Thank you!

All pictures courtesy Brianna Mcarthy's blog here. (My thanks go out to her again for a great interview)

Big Announcement!

Hi lovelies,

I have a big announcement to make. Watch the video to find out more. (You can probably tell by the video title but I wanted to create suspense..lol)

Self Esteem and Women of Colour

Serious talk today about self esteem. I was inspired by a young woman who reached out for resources on self esteem. Sidenote: Do you think women of colour have more to deal with where self esteem is concerned? Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.

Happy Monday!: Variations on a (Headwrap) Style

(Ooops again to my subscribers, I was a little too trigger happy with the publish button lol)

Hi lovelies! How was your weekend? Over the weekend I realised that there are some variations to the first head wrap style that I forgot to show you guys two weeks ago. So, as the first part of of my five day vlog challenge I'm going to share those styles with you. I'm also wearing one of the dresses (the yellow one) from my projects. I show it off near the end of the video.

Hope you enjoy it! Let me know which style you like better!

Have a great weekend!

(Image by Muha)

Hey lovely readers,

What are you up to this weekend? I would love to go to the beach this weekend but it's been really rainy these days.

Here are some good weekend reads, if you'll be chilling at home:

Clutch Mag:

What I love About Black Men- The title pretty much explains itself ;-)

Dawn Okoro in the Name of Art- All about an amazing painter named Dawn Okoro.

Do you tell your girlfriend everything?- Well, do you?

Essence Mag:

The Obamas' Relationship Stimulus Plan How the Obamas keep their relationship rock solid.

Well, that's it for me this week. Hope you have a great weekend, lovelies!


Coming up Next Week: My Five Day Vlog Challenge- I want to step my vlogging game up so I challenged myself to do 5 vlogs, one for each day next week. What do you think I should do/talk about? Leave your answer in the comments.

Black Love: Kimora, Djimon + Baby!

Kimora Lee Simmons and Djimon Honsou released pictures of their new baby, Kenzo, this week. Isn't he cute as a button!

Source: ConcreteLoop

(View More Pictures at OK Magazine)

The Girl who Paints Girls! Brianna Mccarthy

(Painting by Brianna Mccarthy)

(Today's the first of a series of interviews/features of women in visual and graphic art. The interview is mostly unedited for deeper insight. Read on and Enjoy!)

Intro: The first thing I noticed about Brianna Mccarthy's girls were their eyes. Sometimes they're defiant, sometimes they're alluring and soulful. What strikes me most is that when I look at the eyes in her paintings I feel I've seen these girls before. Not on the canvas but on the streets of Trinidad and Tobago, our mutual home. So I had to talk to her about her inspiration...

Tell me a bit about your background: where are you from in Trinidad/Tobago? What was it like growing up there?
I’m a Curepe girl. I grew up on a street that was more rural than you would expect for an area so close to UWI (Editor: UWI is a university in Trinidad). The children were barefooted and active - I was a tomboy. I have many, many scars to show for that now. The environment was so saturated with all that Trinidad’s culture had to offer that I thought everyone got their eyebrows burnt off at least once “bussing bamboo” at Divali, that everyone had been to a Spiritual Baptist thanksgiving and had that hair raising experience, that Hindu weddings down the street were an everyday part of life. I think my short life has been one that I wouldn’t change; not because it’s been peachy or anything but because I believe that rough spots smooth my character.

Do you think your background has influenced your work? If yes, how so.

Definitely. I grew up in an extended family; I’m the youngest of 4 daughters. My family also possesses the Trinidadian uniqueness of being very mixed in terms of ethnicity. I have, for as long as I can recall, been fascinated by women I believed to be solid, proud and unique. I think strength is a beautiful thing and I saw many strong, individual, some might say odd, women growing up. I think those things make up the fibers that hold my work together.



I realise that you mainly paint girls. Why so? Do these figures reflect people you know/see in real life?

I find women very beautiful. I love the elements that make faces unique. I don’t have people sit for portraits though I do I see my sisters in my work alot. Otherwise, I don’t draw people I know or have seen, I may end up taking elements from their faces and making a new one. I have come to realise that my girls are largely self portraits of some kind or in some way. I think this is because what I do is about making sense of my experiences and using aspects of myself allows me to better express that...

(Look out for part two of the conversation Next Thursday...)

To see more of Brianna's work, look at her portfolio here
To know more of her daily thoughts, read her blog here

(All Pictures courtesy Passion Fruit, Brianna Maccarthy's blog)

Look out for part two of the conversation Next Thursday

Woman of Colour, The Magazine!

Hi everyone,

I plan on releasing on online magazine as an off-shoot of the blog next year. (A sneak peak will be available later this year)

I'm super excited about this and i want you the readers to be involved. Let me know what features you'd like to see in a magazine focusing on women of colour. Any topic is welcome! Story ideas People, I need them.

Leave your story ideas in the comments below.

Trailerwatch: Chris Rock's "Good Hair"

So, it's finally here. The trailer for Chris Rock's Good Hair! It looks like it's going to be a good watch. What do you think?

(Chris Rock love!)

Beauty: RIP Naomi Simms

(Photo By Kwaku Alston)

Over the weekend, the fashion and beauty world lost a black pioneer. Naomi Simms, 61, died on Saturday of cancer. She was the first black model to appear on the cover of Ladies Home Journal in 1968 at a time when not many black models had any clout.

She's sometimes referred to as the first black supermodel

“Naomi was the first,” the designer Halston told The New York Times in 1974. “She was the great ambassador for all black people. She broke down all the social barriers.”

Find out more about Naomi Simms here

*Huffington Post has a great slide show of Naomi Simms pictures here

Happy Monday: PILAR, my weekend Fashion discovery

Hey lovely readers,

How was your weekend? I spent most of mine relaxing at home and trolling around on the interwebs. During my trolling I stumbled upon the Facebook page of a new Trinidadian design label called PILAR. (I'd heard of them before but never took notice until now)

Pilar is designed by Former Miss Trinidad and Tobago, Anya Ayoung Chee. I knew that Miss Ayoung Chee had gone to Parsons in New York for Graphic design but maybe she took in some fashion tips via osmosis because PILAR is exquisite. The clothes are tailored, colourful and most importantly wearable. Also she pairs her pieces up with an accessory she calls the "obi belt.' Simply put, the obi belts are "the business" as one fan said.

Limited edition silk linen skirt with detailed waistband lining (# JN005-1LE) Drill cotton military jacket with red facing (# JN006-1) Cotton tank top with limited edition print (# JN007-1LE) Signature obi belt (# JN003-2LE)

If you're interested in one of these pieces you can email Anya at anya@fusetheagency.com or visit their facebook page here

(All pictures courtesy PILAR's Facebook Page)